Canal Road (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Drama television series |
Canal Road is an Australian drama series that was broadcast on the Nine Network in 2008. The show was produced internally by Susan Bower, with scripts written by Sarah Smith, John Ridley, and Dave Warner, and direction by Kevin Carlin. Filming took place at Channel Nine's GTV Studio 11 as well as various locations throughout Melbourne. The production budget was approximately A$10 million.
Comprising 13 episodes, the series debuted on 16 April 2008 but encountered mixed reviews from critics and achieved average audience numbers, which further declined after a change in its scheduling slot. Due to low ratings—dropping to 360,000 viewers by the seventh episode—Nine removed Canal Road from its television lineup; however, the eighth episode was made available online. The remaining episodes were eventually aired between August and December 2008.
The complete series was made available on DVD in Australia on 4 August 2008.
Synopsis
Canal Road is set within a combined medical and legal advisory facility, focusing on urban professionals and their clients amid a backdrop of suspense and secrets. The narrative centers on psychiatrist Spencer MacKay, who is haunted by the murder of his wife and son. When confronted with their murderer, Spencer embarks on a personal vendetta that draws in his friends, coworkers, and forces him to face his own inner struggles.
Cast
- Paul Leyden portraying Spencer MacKay
- Diana Glenn as Olivia Bates
- Brooke Satchwell playing Bridget Keenan
- André De Vanny in the role of Danny Havesco
- Patrick Brammall as Steve Yunnane
- Peta Sergeant cast as Holly Chong
- Charlie Clausen depicting Tom Squires
- Alyssa McClelland as Skye Brady
- Sam Anderson portraying Henry Walter
- Grant Bowler as Detective Ray Driscoll
- Sibylla Budd playing Daina Connelly
- Simon Lyndon as Daryl King
Internet downloads
Starting from 1 April 2008, complete episodes of Canal Road were accessible free of charge through ninemsn's "Catch Up TV," with new installments released prior to their television airing. Viewing required a third-party media player that incorporated advertisements and restricted skipping them.
Subsequently, episodes were offered for purchase via the iTunes Store, thereby broadening digital distribution channels.
Reception
In a 2020 article for the Herald Sun, Fiona Byrne included Canal Road among "long forgotten Australian TV dramas that made viewers switch off." Byrne observed that the series "failed to resonate with audiences," describing it as a brooding and somber drama focused on Spencer MacKay’s quest for vengeance following the traumatic loss of his family.
Ratings
| Episode No. | Airdate | Timeslot | Ratings (5 capital cities) |
Timeslot rank | Overall nightly rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.01 | Wednesday 16 April 2008 | 21:30 – 22:30 | 1,089,000 | 1st | 12th |
| 1.02 | Wednesday 23 April 2008 | 21:30 – 22:30 | 811,000 | 3rd | 20th |
| 1.03 | Wednesday 30 April 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 433,000 | – | 28th |
| 1.04 | Wednesday 7 May 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 386,000 | – | – |
| 1.05 | Wednesday 28 May 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 372,000 | – | – |
| 1.06 | Wednesday 4 June 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 308,000 | – | – |
| 1.07 | Wednesday 18 June 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 360,000 | – | 42nd |
| 1.08 | Sunday 10 August 2008 | 22:30 – 23:30 | 259,000 | – | – |
See also
External links
- Official Canal Road page
- Catch Up TV – Canal Road – Access to complete episode downloads